Find out which crypto exchange best suits your trading profile.
Choose if…
Choose AvaTrade if you want 24/5 live chat support and access to MT4, MT5, and AvaTradeGO.
Choose if…
Choose Swissquote if you want real crypto purchases with custody and a FINMA-regulated Swiss banking account.
Which exchange wins for each type of crypto trader, based on security, fees, coin selection, and editorial scoring.
Swissquote wins for security due to FINMA supervision, a banking licence, and client-asset protections.
| Criteria |  AvaTrade |  Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| Editorial score | 3.9/ 5 | 4.1/ 5 |
| Min Deposit | $100▼ lower | $1,000 |
| Spreads From | 0.9 pips▼ lower | 1.7 pips |
| Taker Fee | N/A | N/A |
| Inactivity Fee | $50/month (after 3 months) | CHF 10/month (after 6 months) |
A closer look at the specific criteria each exchange meets or misses within each scoring category.
| Criteria | AvaTrade | Swissquote |
|---|---|---|
| Security | ||
| Cold storage for assets | Fail | Fail |
| Proof of reserves published | Fail | Fail |
| Segregated client funds | Pass | Pass |
| Top-tier regulator (FCA, ASIC, etc.) | Pass | Pass |
| Fees | ||
| No deposit fee | Pass | Pass |
| No inactivity fee | Fail | Fail |
| Transparent pricing page | Fail | Pass |
| Features | ||
| Staking available | Fail | Fail |
| DeFi integration | Fail | Fail |
| NFT trading | Fail | Fail |
| 500+ coins listed | Fail | Fail |
| Support | ||
| Mobile app | Pass | Pass |
| 24/5 live chat | Pass | Fail |
| Phone support | Pass | Pass |
The scores are close: AvaTrade rates 3.9/5 and Swissquote rates 4.1/5. Swissquote has a marginal edge in our scoring, but the difference is small enough that your specific priorities — fees, platforms, or regulatory jurisdiction — should guide the final choice.
AvaTrade lists a lower spread from 0.9, compared with Swissquote's 1.7. Crypto trading costs are typically quoted as a percentage of the trade value; check each exchange's full fee schedule, as maker/taker rates and volume discounts vary.
AvaTrade has $100, while Swissquote requires at least $1000. This makes AvaTrade more accessible for traders looking to start with a smaller crypto investment.
Both AvaTrade and Swissquote hold licences from top-tier regulators, indicating a high standard of regulatory oversight. Check each exchange's specific regulatory bodies to confirm coverage in your jurisdiction.
For beginners, two factors stand out: AvaTrade requires a lower minimum deposit ($100), lowering the barrier to entry, and both exchanges provide negative balance protection. Also compare demo account availability and educational resources before deciding.
AvaTrade offers up to 2:1 on perpetual or margin products, versus Swissquote's 2:1 cap. Margin and futures trading carry higher risk than spot crypto; confirm product availability and jurisdiction-specific limits on each exchange's website.
AvaTrade supports ZuluTrade, MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4, while Swissquote supports MetaTrader 5, Proprietary Web/Mobile, MetaTrader 4. Both provide MetaTrader 5 and Proprietary Web/Mobile and MetaTrader 4. AvaTrade has exclusive access to ZuluTrade.
AvaTrade is best for low fees thanks to fixed spreads and cost certainty.
Swissquote wins for coin selection due to broader instrument access and real-crypto options.
AvaTrade suits beginners with a lower minimum deposit and simpler entry.
Equally matched; neither broker offers DeFi access or on-chain Web3 features.
| Deposit Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Deposit methods | Bank transferCredit cardDebit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transferCredit cardDebit card |
|---|
| Withdrawal methods | Bank transferCredit cardSkrillNeteller | Bank transfer |
|---|
| Withdrawal Fee | Free | Free |
|---|
| Regulators | FSCA ASIC MFSA CBI ADGM | DFSA FCA FINMA |
|---|
| Cold Storage | No | No |
|---|
| Proof of Reserves | No | No |
|---|
| Staking | No | No |
|---|
| DeFi Integration | No | No |
|---|
| NFT Trading | No | No |
|---|
| 500+ Coins | No | No |
|---|
| P2P Trading | No | No |
|---|
| Crypto Earn / Savings | No | No |
|---|
| Token Launchpad | No | No |
|---|
AvaTrade and Swissquote pit two multi-asset players against each other in crypto exposure strategies. They differ in accessibility, pricing transparency, and regulatory scope, inviting closer inspection.
AvaTrade and Swissquote are closely matched in overall crypto exposure, with the clearest differentiator being pricing transparency and real-crypto access. Swissquote provides real crypto purchases and transparent pricing, while AvaTrade remains CFD-only with fixed spreads.
Dig deeper into each broker’s features, fees, and regulation.
Score 3.9 / 5
Score 4.1 / 5
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